View full sizeSly Mansion, 13474 Edgewater Drive, is in the midst of a battle over property rights and historic preservation.ERIC SANDY/SUN NEWS

Lakewood Planning Commission voted to defer a decision to designate the Heidleoff House, also known as the Sly mansion, located at 13474 Edgewater Drive, as a historic landmark by a 3-1 vote Jan. 3.

With one seat on the commission vacant and two members absent, the shorthanded commission needed a unanimous vote to pass any motion.

In front of about 25 citizens, chairman Mark Stockman expressed concern over making any decision with only four commission members.

"This is the first residential property to apply for this designation," Stockman said. "It sets a bar for what comes after. It's unfair to the policy itself to make decisions hastily, with four people."

Hannah Belsito, a member of the commission who supported the motion to defer, said it was easier to designate commercial buildings than residential properties.

"The house is beautiful," she said, "but so is almost every other home in Lakewood."

Stockman added that if it was as easy as saying a property met the criteria to be designated a landmark or not there wouldn't be a need for the commission.

Robert Greytak was the deferring vote, saying he would vote the same way either at the meeting or when the commission reconvenes.

The commission stated that they wished to continue discussions with all involved parties and would table the issue until the Feb. 7 meeting.

Contact Carroll at ecarroll@sunnews.com or follow him on Twitter @ECarrollSunNews.

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